AB 2719
Vehicles: certificates of title.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Appropriations
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Bill overview
This bill clarifies the definitions of ‘title,’ ‘certificate of title,’ and ‘certificate of ownership’ within the California Vehicle Code, specifying that they represent an official record, whether in paper or electronic form, that proves legal vehicle ownership. It also makes technical adjustments to existing provisions regarding co-ownership of vehicles, outlining different ways co-owners can hold title and transfer it. The bill aims to standardize these definitions and clarify the rules surrounding vehicle ownership.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘title,’ ‘certificate of title,’ and ‘certificate of ownership’ as official records (paper or electronic).
- Modifies existing rules regarding co-ownership of vehicles, specifying alternative registration methods.
- Outlines different ways co-owners can hold title: joint tenancy, community property, or tenancy in common.
- Addresses the transfer of title upon the death of a co-owner.
- Allows for abbreviations on registration and ownership certificates to denote co-ownership arrangements.
Who is affected
- Vehicle Owners
- Co-owners of Vehicles
- The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Vehicle Lienholders
Notable changes
- Standardizes definitions of key terms related to vehicle ownership.
- Provides more specific guidelines for co-ownership arrangements and title transfer.
Arguments in favor
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AB2719:v98#DOCUMENT
Bill Start
| Amended IN Assembly March 16, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2719
| Introduced by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris |
| February 20, 2026 |
An act to amend Section 5600.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. An act to add Section 610.5 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2719, as amended, Petrie-Norris. Vehicles: transfers of title or interest. Vehicles: certificates of title.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a certificate of ownership to the legal owner of a vehicle upon registering the vehicle. Existing law requires the Director of Motor Vehicles to develop an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program to require that all lienholders’ title information be held in an electronic format, if the department determines that the program is cost effective compared to the current paper title and registration system.This bill would define “title,” “certificate of title,” and “certificate of ownership” for purposes of the Vehicle Code as an official record, whether in paper or electronic form, establishing and providing proof of legal ownership of a vehicle.
Existing law authorizes 2 or more coowners of a vehicle subject to registration to hold the title of ownership as joint interest, partnership interests, interests in common, or community interest of spouses, except as specified. Existing law authorizes the title to be transferred to 2 or more coowners, as specified.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 610.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
610.5. “Title,” “certificate of title,” or “certificate of ownership” means an official record, whether in paper or electronic form, establishing and providing proof of legal ownership of a vehicle.
SECTION 1.Section 5600.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
5600.5.
Ownership of title to a vehicle subject to registration may be transferred to two or more coowners as transferee to be held as provided in Section 682 of the Civil Code, except that:
(a)A vehicle may be registered in the names of two or more persons as coowners in the alternative by the use of the word “or.” A vehicle so registered in the alternative shall be deemed to be held in joint tenancy. Each coowner shall be deemed to have granted to the other coowners the absolute right to dispose of the title and interest in the vehicle. Upon the death of a coowner the interest of the decedent shall pass to the survivor as though title or interest in the vehicle was held in joint tenancy unless a contrary intention is set forth in writing upon the request for transfer of registration.
(b)A vehicle may be registered in the names of two or more persons as coowners in the alternative by the use of the word “or” and if declared in writing upon the application for a transfer of registration by the applicants to be community property, or tenancy in common, shall grant to each coowner the absolute power to transfer the title or interest of the other coowners only during the lifetime of such coowners.
(c)A vehicle may be registered in the names of two or more persons as coowners in the conjunctive by the use of the word “and” and shall thereafter require the signature of each coowner or their personal representative to transfer title to the vehicle, except where title to the vehicle is set forth in joint tenancy, the signature of each coowner or their personal representative shall be required only during the lifetime of the coowners, and upon death of a coowner title shall pass to the surviving coowner.
(d)The department may adopt suitable abbreviations to appear upon the certificate of registration and certificate of ownership to designate the manner in which the interest in or title to the vehicle is held if set forth by the coowners upon the application for transfer of registration.